REVELLERS flouting Southend’s beach barbecue ban were hit with a £100 fine.

Hundreds of people were out enjoying the sunshine across the city over the weekend with many people heading to the beach.

But Southend Council says a “large group of people” flouted the barbecue ban and were handed a £100 fixed penalty notice.

The ban was introduced last year, and includes potentially dangerous disposable barbecues which have led to children being injured on the seafront.

Fines of £100 can be dished out to anyone caught breaching the public space protection order.

Drivers who also flouted the city’s car cruising ban were also hit with fines.

Community safety officers were forced to issue four £100 fixed penalty notices over the two days.

Essex Police had warned drivers heading to a planned cruise event in Southend on Saturday night that they would face fines.

It comes as Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit were later called to the a car meet in Canvey.

They found a start line, with spectators and “thick” black tyre marks around a car park.

A BMW was seized by officers using Section 59 powers for driving in a careless and anti-social manner.

The driver had already been issued a warning last month in Kent.

The car cruising ban in Southend was introduced to help cut out noise from vehicles, a bad smell of smoke from vehicles, loud music and anti-social behaviour.

It comes after various complaints from businesses and also three complaints to MPs since June 2021 from their constituents.

James Courtenay, councillor responsible for community safety and public protection, said: “We want everyone who visits our wonderful seafront and Blue Flag award beaches to have a great day out and, most importantly, a safe day out.

“This means everyone must take responsibility for their actions.

“Our public spaces protection orders mean we can enforce on anyone putting other members of the public at serious risk.

“Having the ability to issue fixed penalty notices makes a big difference and is helping keep the city’s busiest areas safe for residents and visitors all year.”